With an eye on Texas' future and their own political fortunes, state leaders and legislators are set to begin 140 days of lawmaking. Here are the issues and people to keep an eye on in Texas' 83rd Legislature:

With an eye on Texas' future and their own political fortunes, state leaders and legislators are set to begin 140 days of lawmaking. Here are the issues and people to keep an eye on in Texas' 83rd Legislature:

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

With an eye on Texas' future and their own political... Photo-3990350.54743 - Houston Chronicle

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BUDGET: The recovering state economy is expected to pour billions more into state coffers, but much of the money will go to pay a Medicaid IOU and other expenses that were pushed off two years ago when lawmakers faced a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall. Some are pushing to reverse last session’s cuts in education and other areas. State Comptroller Susan Combs will set the parameters for spending when she delivers her revenue estimate Monday.

BUDGET: The recovering state economy is expected to pour billions more into state coffers, but much of the money will go to pay a Medicaid IOU and other expenses that were pushed off two years ago when

BUDGET: The recovering state economy is expected to pour... Photo-3990429.54743 - Houston Chronicle

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PUBLIC EDUCATION: Texas public schools took a beating when state lawmakers cut $5.4 billion from K-12 education two years ago to help deal with a budget shortfall. Lawmakers also have increased academic standards with the new STAAR accountability system. The combination of less funding and higher standards is a key component in an ongoing school funding lawsuit being heard in a state district courtroom about two blocks from the Capitol. A ruling from Judge John Dietz is expected by midway through the legislative session. Lawmakers, however, are not expected to respond until the Texas Supreme Court rules. Legislators are being pressed to restore some of the public school funding cuts, starting with money to pay for enrollment growth.

PUBLIC EDUCATION: Texas public schools took a beating when state lawmakers cut $5.4 billion from K-12 education two years ago to help deal with a budget shortfall. Lawmakers also have increased academic

PUBLIC EDUCATION: Texas public schools took a beating when state... Photo-3990426.54743 - Houston Chronicle

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HIGHER ED: University leaders hope lawmakers replenish some of the almost billion dollars cut last session, while some legislators are searching for more funding efficiency. House Higher Education Committee Chairman Dan Branch, R-Dallas, proposes basing up to a quarter of each school’s state funding on performance, such as graduation rates, rather than strictly enrollment. Gov. Rick Perry has said universities should lock in tuition rates for students’ first four years to give them an incentive to graduate. The state agency overseeing higher education has asked lawmakers to refuel the state’s largest financial aid program, TEXAS Grants, with $100 million and to modify the structure of the program by lowering award totals to reach more students.

HIGHER ED: University leaders hope lawmakers replenish some of the almost billion dollars cut last session, while some legislators are searching for more funding efficiency. House Higher Education Committee

WATER: The ongoing drought has sparked calls to fund the state’s massive water plan following years of inaction by lawmakers. The price tag: $53 billion. In 2011, the House balked at two bills intended to create the first permanent funding source for a new round of reservoirs, pipelines and other projects to avoid grave shortages by 2060. House Speaker Joe Straus said the state’s water supply will be among his priorities. The most likely starting point appears to be taking at least $1 billion out of the state’s Rainy Day Fund to create a water infrastructure bank, an idea touted by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

WATER: The ongoing drought has sparked calls to fund the state’s massive water plan following years of inaction by lawmakers. The price tag: $53 billion. In 2011, the House balked at two bills intended to

CPRIT: Controversy over contracts awarded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas is prompting a closer legislative look at the entity. Dewhurst said a package of legislation will include governance changes and an increase in transparency.

CPRIT: Controversy over contracts awarded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas is prompting a closer legislative look at the entity. Dewhurst said a package of legislation will include

MEDICAID: Perry has said he will stand against Texas expanding Medicaid to include low-income adults who are not covered by the traditional program, as allowed by the federal health care reform law. If states opt in, the federal government will pay for the expansion’s cost for the first three years. Some continue to press for the expansion in Texas, and some say the federal government might be willing to add some flexibility or GOP-supported elements — such as co-pays for newly eligible adults — as an enticement for states’ participation.

MEDICAID: Perry has said he will stand against Texas expanding Medicaid to include low-income adults who are not covered by the traditional program, as allowed by the federal health care reform law. If states

MEDICAID: Perry has said he will stand against Texas expanding... Photo-3990428.54743 - Houston Chronicle

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ABORTION: Perry is championing a proposal to ban abortion after 20 weeks, saying that is when the fetus feels pain. Current state law prohibits abortion in the third trimester, defined by a Department of State Health Services rule as a gestational period of not less than 26 weeks. The “fetal pain” idea is the latest move to impose restrictions on abortion, after last session’s passage of a measure to require a woman to have a sonogram first.

ABORTION: Perry is championing a proposal to ban abortion after 20 weeks, saying that is when the fetus feels pain. Current state law prohibits abortion in the third trimester, defined by a Department of State

GUNS: A deadly shooting at a Connecticut elementary school has fueled some proposals to expand gun laws. Current state law allows school districts to authorize teachers to carry weapons on school property. Rep.-elect Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, wants to allow schools to appoint an undercover “school marshal,” requiring additional weapons training and certification. Lawmakers also are expected to again consider requiring state universities to allow people with a concealed handgun license to carry on campus. Most university leaders contend the decision should remain theirs, rather than a statewide policy.

GUNS: A deadly shooting at a Connecticut elementary school has fueled some proposals to expand gun laws. Current state law allows school districts to authorize teachers to carry weapons on school property.

GOV. RICK PERRY: Texas longest-serving governor is not easing up despite last-year’s misstep-plagued presidential campaign. Perry says he will announce after this session if he will run for re-election or even make another race for the White House. In the meantime, he has signaled in no uncertain terms that he plans to be a player by laying out his markers on issues including the budget, abortion, health care, welfare and guns.

GOV. RICK PERRY: Texas longest-serving governor is not easing up despite last-year’s misstep-plagued presidential campaign. Perry says he will announce after this session if he will run for re-election or

LT. GOV. DAVID DEWHURST: The lieutenant governor is back in the saddle as the Texas Senate’s presiding officer after losing a race for U.S. Senate to conservative insurgent Ted Cruz. Dewhurst since has signaled a shift to the right in an already conservative career, naming conservative Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, to head the Senate Education Committee. Dewhurst has embraced issues include school choice and drug testing applicants for unemployment benefits and financial assistance to needy families. He also cites a focus on the drinking water supply, transportation capacity and public education.

LT. GOV. DAVID DEWHURST: The lieutenant governor is back in the saddle as the Texas Senate’s presiding officer after losing a race for U.S. Senate to conservative insurgent Ted Cruz. Dewhurst since has

LT. GOV. DAVID DEWHURST: The lieutenant governor is back in the... Photo-3990351.54743 - Houston Chronicle

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HOUSE SPEAKER JOE STRAUS: A fiscal conservative whose priority always has been to pass a state budget that meets the state’s basic needs without adding too many frills. The San Antonio Republican faces another challenge from the far right for his leadership spot in the 150-member state House, but it would take an epic upset for Straus to not win a third term as speaker when lawmakers convene Tuesday. Straus wants to focus on improving public education and on funding infrastructure needs, such as water and highways.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOE STRAUS: A fiscal conservative whose priority always has been to pass a state budget that meets the state’s basic needs without adding too many frills. The San Antonio Republican faces

SEN.-ELECT DONNA CAMPBELL: Tea party-backed Dr. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels trounced longtime Sen. Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio in last year’s Republican primary. She said she intends to serve as the “cavalry” for what she hopes will be “the most conservative Texas Senate” ever. Campbell, who never has held public office, has been vocal on anti-abortion legislation — joining Gov. Rick Perry in supporting the so-called “fetal pain bill” — and has said she will apply her experience as an emergency room physician to health-care legislation.

SEN.-ELECT DONNA CAMPBELL: Tea party-backed Dr. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels trounced longtime Sen. Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio in last year’s Republican primary. She said she intends to serve as the

REP. TREY MARTINEZ FISCHER: The San Antonio chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus sometimes is characterized as “the bull in the china shop” for his aggressive approach. He returns about 60 pounds lighter this session but don’t expect any less scrappy response from the Democrats’ most punchy counter-point to GOP leaders. Lawmakers need to focus on education, water, roads and electricity generation affecting all instead of controversial side issues for GOP primary voters, he says.

REP. TREY MARTINEZ FISCHER: The San Antonio chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus sometimes is characterized as “the bull in the china shop” for his aggressive approach. He returns about 60

SEN. DAN PATRICK: The Houston Republican and broadcaster rode an anti-tax wave to office in 2007 and has steadily risen through the Senate ranks. Among the legislation that he says he is most proud to have passed, he cites placing “Under God” in the state pledge, a tax cut for small businesses and the measure requiring a sonogram before an abortion. As the new Senate Education Committee chairman, he's pushing school choice legislation from a powerful position.

SEN. DAN PATRICK: The Houston Republican and broadcaster rode an anti-tax wave to office in 2007 and has steadily risen through the Senate ranks. Among the legislation that he says he is most proud to have

REP. JIM PITTS: Pitts, Appropriations Committee chairman, showed palpable concern last session over the need to carefully craft cuts spurred by a huge budget shortfall. With the economy improving, the Waxahachie Republican this time wants to draft a budget that addresses enrollment growth in public and higher education. Pitts is notable in part for his ability to face tough decisions with a pleasant demeanor. A colleague once was quoted as saying he “can tell you – as he has done me – to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.”

REP. DAVID SIMPSON: The tea party-backed lawmaker from East Texas is relatively new but confident enough to mount a challenge to House Speaker Joe Straus for leadership of the chamber. Simpson, R-Longview, made a name for himself in his freshman 2011 session with moves including a bill targeting intrusive airport security searches. A businessman and ordained minister,he can be independent in his views, criticizing the way Republicans handled redistricting and taking issue with business incentive funds.

REP. DAVID SIMPSON: The tea party-backed lawmaker from East Texas is relatively new but confident enough to mount a challenge to House Speaker Joe Straus for leadership of the chamber. Simpson, R-Longview, made

SEN. TOMMY WILLIAMS: The new Senate Finance chairman – and former head of the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee – highlights the need to fund water and transportation infrastructure in a growing state. A Democratic colleague described the Republican from The Woodlands as tough but fair, a lawmaker who will listen to the evidence and make a decision based on the fiscal bottom line.